Endovascular graft

Abstract

An endovascular graft, which is configured to conform to the morphology of a vessel to be treated, includes a tubular ePTFE structure; an inflatable ePTFE structure disposed over at least a portion of the ePTFE tubular structure; and an injection port in fluid communication with the inflatable ePTFE structure for inflation of the inflatable ePTFE structure with an inflation medium. The inflatable ePTFE structure may be longitudinally disposed over the tubular ePTFE structure. The ePTFE structure may be a bifurcated structure having first and second bifurcated tubular structures, where the inflatable ePTFE structure is disposed over at least a portion of the first and second bifurcated tubular structures.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 132,754, filed Apr. 24, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 133,978, filed Aug. 14, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,019, which claim the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 074,112, filed Feb. 9, 1998, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for the treatment of disorders of the vasculature. More specifically, a system and method for treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm and the like, which is a condition manifested by expansion and weakening of the aorta below the diaphragm. Such conditions require intervention due to the severity of the sequelae, which frequently is death. Prior methods of treating aortic aneurysm have consisted of invasive surgical methods with graft placement within the aorta as a reinforcing member of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables safe and effective percutaneous deployment of grafts in irregular vessels, reducing the risk of rupture and improving fit and sealing, thus enhancing treatment outcomes for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Problems solved by technology

Such conditions require intervention due to the severity of the sequelae, which frequently is death.

However, such a procedure requires a surgical cut down to access the vessel, which in turn can result in a catastrophic rupture of the aneurysm due to the decreased external pressure from the organs and tissues surrounding the aorta, which are moved during the procedure to gain access to the vessel.

Accordingly, surgical procedures have a high mortality rate due to the possibility of the rupture discussed above in addition to other factors.

Other factors can include poor physical condition of the patient due to blood loss, anuria, and low blood pressure associated with the aortic abdominal aneurysm.

One of the primary deficiencies of the existing percutaneous devices and methods has been that the grafts and the delivery catheters used to deliver the grafts are relatively large in profile, often up to 24 French and greater, and stiff in bending.

The large profile and bending stiffness makes delivery through the irregular and tortuous arteries of diseased vessels difficult and risky.

In particular, the iliac arteries are often too narrow or irregular for the passage of a percutaneous device.

Because of this, non-invasive percutaneous graft delivery for treatment of aortic aneurysm is not available to many patients who would benefit from it.

An improper fit or seal between the graft and the vessel wall can result in leaks or areas of high stress imposed upon the diseased vessel which lead to reduced graft efficacy and possibly rupture of the aneurysm.

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